Fundo - Rev. Thomas J. Bride fonds

Thomas J. Bride (1887-1951), Catholic priest, was born at St. John's, Newfoundland, on 23 August 1887, the son of Mary (Power) and William Bride. His mother was from Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, and his father was originally from Brigus, Newfoundland. He died at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, St. John's, on 25 April 1951 and was buried in Belvedere Cemetery, St. John's.

Bride attended St. Patrick's Hall School, St. John's, for his primary, elementary and high school education. He secured employment with the commercial firm of J. D. Ryan. Upon the death of his mother (1910) he lived with his grandparents in Ireland.

Bride began his studies for the priesthood in Ireland in 1911. He completed his philosophy studies at Mount Mellary, a boarding college for seminarians, under the direction of monks from the Cistercian Order. Bride studied theology at St. John's College, Waterford, where he was ordained a priest on 17 June 1917, by Bishop Bernard Hackett.

In 1918 Rev. Bride returned to Newfoundland and was appointed as the parish priest of St. Patrick's Parish, Burin (1918-24). He served as parish priest of St. Raphael's Parish and chaplain to Mount Cashel Orphanage, St. John's, holding these appointments until shortly before the time of his death in 1951.